Bellingham School District selling ad space at turf field

BELLINGHAM — Before the start of the fall sports season, school officials hope to have nearly every inch of the fence that rings Anderson Field covered in advertising signs.

The district has started selling ad space at the new turf field to raise revenue for the upkeep. Funds could also go toward upgrades to the field, such as a pavilion at the entrance.

On Tuesday, School Committee members approved the rates, ranging from $750, which buys both an 8-foot-wide metal sign and a 6-foot-wide fabric sign displayed at Anderson Field and the high school gym, to $300 for a 3-foot-wide sign placed only at the field. Additionally, a package is available offering two metal signs at the field and one fabric sign in the gym for $1,000.

School officials said businesses must renew their space after two years, but can do so for half the cost of the original rate.

The signs are to be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"This is a good place to start," said School Committee Vice Chairman Michael Carr. "We can see what the market will bear."

Bellingham CFO Chris Laviolette said a fund has been created for the advertising revenue.

"This will be for preventative-type maintenance as opposed to any long-term savings," he said. "We can spend up to $25,000 in a given year. Anything in excess of that will unfortunately revert to the general fund; but Town Meeting can take a vote to increase the cap."

In 2012, the town paid $1.3 million to have the field installed. Its grand opening was delayed last year because construction crews unearthed ledge. The track is still under construction and should be ready by the fall sports season.

The field has a 12- to 15-year life expectancy, and replacement will cost an estimated $475,000.

Revenue generated from ad sales will help offset the cost to maintain the field, according to School Committee member Michael Reed, who worked with Dennis Baker, the district’s athletic director, to set the advertising rates.

"I think there’s going to be some interest," said School Committee Chairman Daniel Ranieri of the advertising. "I don’t know exactly what we’ll raise, but I think we could probably collect as much as $20,000."